Just Let Me Sleep Already!

If you are a light sleeper who struggles with snoring partners, noisy neighbors, or other unwanted sounds at night, you may have considered getting some noise canceling earphones to help you sleep better.

With so many options available, how do you know which ones are the best for your needs? Let’s compare the different types of noise canceling earphones and give you some tips on how to choose the best ones for sleeping.

Huh? What are noise canceling earphones?

Noise canceling earphones are devices that reduce the amount of ambient noise that reaches your ears. They do this by using either passive or active noise canceling technology, or a combination of both.

Passive noise canceling earphones block out noise by creating a physical seal around your ears, preventing sound waves from entering. They usually have ear tips or ear cups that fit snugly in or over your ears, and are made of materials that absorb or reflect sound. Passive noise canceling earphones are effective at blocking out high-frequency sounds, such as human voices, traffic, or birds, but not so good at blocking out low-frequency sounds, such as engines, fans, or snoring.

Active noise canceling earphones cancel out noise by creating a sound wave that is opposite to the noise that reaches your ears, effectively canceling it out. They have microphones that pick up the ambient noise and a processor that generates the anti-noise signal, which is then played through the earphones. Active noise canceling earphones are effective at blocking out low-frequency sounds, such as engines, fans, or snoring, but not so good at blocking out high-frequency sounds, such as human voices, traffic, or birds.

Hybrid noise canceling earphones combine both passive and active noise canceling technology, offering the best of both worlds. They have both ear tips or ear cups that create a physical seal around your ears, and microphones and processors that generate the anti-noise signal. Hybrid noise canceling earphones are effective at blocking out both high-frequency and low-frequency sounds, making them the most versatile and powerful option.

So…what are the benefits of noise canceling earphones for sleeping?

Noise canceling earphones can help you sleep better by:

Reducing the amount of noise that disturbs your sleep, which can improve your sleep quality and duration, and prevent sleep deprivation and its negative effects on your health and well-being.

Creating a relaxing and soothing sound environment, which can help you fall asleep faster and easier, and reduce stress and anxiety. You can choose to listen to white noise, nature sounds, music, podcasts, audiobooks, or anything else that helps you relax and drift off.

Protecting your hearing, which can be damaged by prolonged exposure to loud noises. Noise canceling earphones can lower the volume of the sounds that reach your ears, and prevent you from turning up the volume of your audio source to drown out the noise.

Hmm…and, what are the downsides of noise canceling earphones for sleeping?

Before you start shopping, consider this: noise canceling earphones can also have some drawbacks for sleeping:

Being uncomfortable or painful to wear for long periods of time, especially if they are too tight, too heavy, or too bulky. They can also cause ear irritation, infection, or pressure, or interfere with your sleeping position or pillow.

Being expensive, especially the active or hybrid ones, which require batteries or charging, and may have more features than you need or use. They can also be easily lost, damaged, or stolen, especially if you travel with them or leave them unattended.

Being unsafe, especially if they block out too much noise, which can prevent you from hearing important sounds, such as alarms, sirens, or someone calling your name. They can also isolate you from your surroundings, which can make you feel lonely, disconnected, or vulnerable.

How do I choose the best noise canceling earphones for sleeping?

When choosing the best noise canceling earphones for sleeping, consider the following factors:

Noise level and type: If you are exposed to high-frequency sounds, such as human voices, traffic, or birds, you may prefer passive noise canceling earphones, which can block them out effectively. If you are exposed to low-frequency sounds, such as engines, fans, or snoring, you may prefer active noise canceling earphones, which can cancel them out effectively. If you are exposed to both high-frequency and low-frequency sounds, you may prefer hybrid noise canceling earphones, which can handle both types of noise effectively.

Comfort and fit: If you are a side sleeper or a restless sleeper, you may prefer earbuds or in-ear earphones, which are smaller and lighter than over-ear or on-ear earphones, and can fit comfortably in your ears without sticking out or pressing against your pillow. You may also want to look for earphones that have soft and flexible ear tips that conform to your ear shape and size, and that have a secure and adjustable fit that won't fall out or move around while you sleep.

Budget and features: If you are on a tight budget or don't need many features, you may prefer passive noise canceling earphones, which are usually cheaper and simpler than active or hybrid noise canceling earphones. You may also want to look for earphones that have a long battery life or don't require batteries at all, and that have a durable and easy-to-clean design. If you have more money to spend or want more features, you may prefer active or hybrid noise canceling earphones, which can offer better noise reduction and sound quality than passive noise canceling earphones. You may also want to look for earphones that have wireless connectivity, smart controls, voice assistants, ambient sound modes, sleep tracking functions, or other advanced features that can enhance your sleeping experience.

Got any suggestions for noise canceling earphones for sleeping?

Check these out, for starters:

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds: These are hybrid noise canceling earbuds that offer excellent noise reduction and sound quality. They have soft silicone eartips that create a comfortable seal in your ears, and adjustable settings that let you choose how much noise you want to block out or let in. They also have wireless Bluetooth connectivity, touch controls, voice assistants compatibility (Google Assistant and Alexa), water resistance (IPX4), and up to 6 hours of battery life per charge (18 hours with the charging case).

Sony WF-SP800N: These are active noise canceling earbuds that offer great noise reduction and sound quality. They have ergonomic eartips that fit securely in your ears without causing pressure or irritation. They also have wireless Bluetooth connectivity, touch controls, voice assistants compatibility (Google Assistant and Alexa), water resistance (IP55), and up to 9 hours of battery life per charge (18 hours with the charging case). They also have an ambient sound mode that lets you hear important sounds around you, and an adaptive sound control feature that adjusts the noise cancellation level based on your activity and location.

QuietOn Sleep: These are passive noise canceling earbuds that offer good noise reduction and comfort. They have foam eartips that create a snug seal in your ears, and block out low-frequency sounds effectively. They also have a simple design that doesn't require any wires, buttons, or settings, and up to 20 hours of battery life per charge. They also come with a travel case that doubles as a charger.

Basically, noise canceling earphones can be a great solution for improving your sleep quality and well-being. By reducing the amount of noise that disturbs your sleep, creating a relaxing sound environment, and protecting your hearing, they can help you fall asleep faster and easier, sleep longer and deeper, and wake up refreshed and energized.

Just keep in mind, not all noise canceling earphones are created equal. You should consider your personal preferences and needs when choosing the best ones for sleeping.

Also, pay attention to factors such as: the type of noise cancellation technology they use; the comfort and fit they provide; the budget and features they offer; and the examples and reviews they receive.

Sleep well 😴